Current Landscape:
The NHS Outpatient Transformation Conference spotlights the shift toward more accessible, efficient, and patient-centred care. Key themes include empowering patients through self-booked follow-ups and flexible appointment options—whether in-person, by phone, or video.
The conference explores how collaborations with GPs and programmes like NHS Emeritus Consultants are helping reduce wait times and accelerate elective recovery. Technology also plays a vital role—AI in dermatology, for example, is streamlining skin cancer pathways by safely ruling out benign cases and freeing up specialist capacity.
This transformation aligns with England’s Fit for the Future health plan, which aims to replace two-thirds of outpatient appointments with digital tools, automated advice, and patient-initiated follow-ups—primarily through the NHS App. These changes are expected to significantly reduce the £14 billion annual cost of outpatient services.
By 2035, most outpatient care will happen outside hospitals. Digital tools will support patients to manage care from home, access personalised support, and prepare for or recover from treatment with community-based care. Through pathway redesign and data-driven insight, the NHS is building a smarter, more sustainable outpatient model aligned with the Long-Term Plan.
Importance and timeliness of the event:
The NHS Outpatient Transformation Conference comes at a crucial time as the NHS strives to address the growing demands for more efficient, patient-centered care. With elective recovery high on the agenda, this event provides a timely platform for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and innovators to exchange insights and solutions. The importance of this gathering lies in its focus on implementing practical strategies, such as empowering patients with flexible appointment options and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to improve care pathways. As the NHS works to reduce waiting lists, optimise resource utilisation and enhance the overall patient experience, the conference serves as a vital forum to accelerate the adoption of transformative approaches that will shape the future of outpatient services.
Key content streams:
- Empowering Patients and Enhancing Accessibility: Strategies to provide patients with greater control, including self-booking follow-ups, offering teleconsultation options and addressing barriers to attendance for a more personalised outpatient experience.
- Accelerating Elective Recovery: Initiatives such as the NHS Emeritus Consultants platform and data-driven insights from elective recovery dashboards to reduce waiting times and improve clinical outcomes.
- Pathway Redesign and Transformation: Exploring innovative models of care and redesigning outpatient pathways to support efficiency and sustainability in service delivery.
- Harnessing Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the potential of AI to improve efficiency and accuracy in diagnostic pathways, with discussions on safety measures and integration into routine practice.
- Innovative Technologies in Outpatient Care: Emphasising the role of new tools and technologies in reducing unnecessary attendances, enhancing patient interaction, and aligning with the NHS Long Term Plan.
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